Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
Jean Cameron was transported on the Louisa, departing 21st Aug 1827 and arriving 3rd Dec 1827 with 90 passengers.
Ship News- Arrivals. Monday, the ship Louisa, Captain Smith, from London 24th August, with 90 female prisoners, and 21 children. Surgeon Superintendent, James Cook, Esquire, R.N. The Australian, 5 Dec 1827.
Louisa (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/6, Page Number 280 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
"Jean (Jane) Cameron is my direct ancestor"
Photos
No photos have been added for Jean Cameron.
Convict Notes
Correct name was Jane. Jane Cameron is believed to have been born in 1797 at Argyle Scotland. On August 18, 1826, some items of clothing were missing from the public drying green of Hutchison Town in Glasgow. A number of local women went to Jane Cameron`s house in King St. to confront Jane`s servant girl, Isabelle McMaster who was suspected of stealing them. After forcing entry, a quantity of clothing was seen and the police called. The servant girl immediately absconded and Jane was arrested for having in her possession a large quantity of clothing suspected of being stolen. At her trial Jane Cameron declared that she was 29 years of age, was twice widowed and had two children living at King St. - that she earned a living by washing and dressing (ironing) and had an assistant who was yet to be apprehended. Her accusers told her she would get “life at Botany Bay.” On September 30, 1826, Jane was convicted of “Reset” (receiving stolen goods to resell) and sentenced to 7 years transportation. The records show that she was 29 years of age with a young daughter and another infant, was 5ft 2ins, fair and freckled with brown hair and green eyes. It was normal at that time, in the absence of family support, for children to accompany the mother into gaol. Prison conditions were harsh and it would be 10 months until the ship “Louisa” left Woolwich London, August 24th 1827 bound for New South Wales. One month into the voyage, the ships surgeon recorded the death of a female infant from Scotland. It is quite likely this was Jane`s infant daughter, sadly, names were not recorded. Her other daughter, Christiana remained with Jane in good health. They arrived at Port Jackson on December 3 1827. In 1828 Jane is recorded as a domestic servant to John Smith, innkeeper of Newcastle and the daughter Christiana recorded as a lodger with Henry Canny at the Newcastle Hospital. It was at this time when Richard Bannister and Jane would meet and although their directions parted they obviously maintained contact. In 1829 we find that Jane was at the female factory at Parramatta where she went through a marriage to a police officer named Middleton Knights. The marriage was officiated by the famous Rev. Samuel Marsden who was a magistrate as well as a cleric and known as “the flogging Parson.” These marriages were often of convenience in that men could approach female inmates with the offer of marriage and should they agree it would free them of bondage, but in many instances the proposer was really looking for a servant. It would appear this was the case with Jane as she was listed as an absconder in 1832 from Bathurst where Knights was employed. Richard Bannister had now completed his sentence and it was likely that he and Jane headed to southern New South Wales to take up employment. The surgeon from the “Baring,” Dr. David Reid was by now well settled at his large property “Inverary Park,” near Bungonia and the possibility is that both Richard and Jane were employed by him. In October 1833, the daughter Christiana married an ex-convict, James Fitzgerald who was an employee of Dr. Reid. This marriage was performed at the chapel at “Lumley,” the adjoining property belonging to Robert Futter J.P. This marriage did not last however. In 1838, a child was born to Christiana and Joseph Hush out of wedlock. This child was christened Joseph Hush (later changed to Hurst) and raised by Richard and Jane as Christiana had now settled with James Cork at his property “Willow Bank Farm” at Milton where they raised a large family - at this time Christiana was still married to James Fitzgerald although separated. Around this time a number of settlers were overlanding with sheep and cattle to take up land in the Port Phillip area to the south. One of these was the son of Dr. David Reid, David Reid Jnr., also his daughter who had married the son of the colony treasurer, Alexander Balcombe. They settled at “The Briars,” Mt. Martha in what became Victoria. Undoubtedly Richard and Jane, with her grandson Joseph Hush, came south as workers for one of these settlers and found a home at Kilmore. On June 10, 1854, Richard Bannister and Jane Cameron were married in Melbourne at the Cathedral Church of St James (Church of England) which at that time was situated on the corner of Batman and King streets, the celebrant being Theodore Budd and witnesses James Phillips and G. McDonnell. In those days a prior marriage was annulled after a period of seven years non contact. In 1858, Christiana`s husband, James Fitzpatrick was killed by a falling tree. This freed her to marry James Cork. They travelled by ship from Ulladulla NSW to Melbourne and were married in St Pauls church on October 14 1858. The witnesses included Richard and Jane together with her son Joseph Hush. Christiana died in 1887 and was buried in the family graveyard on the property at Milton NSW leaving many descendants. Jane passed away in 1874 and Richard in 1877. It is believed that they embraced the Catholic faith and are buried in the Kilmore Catholic Cemetery plot 89/16. At the time of their passing they were comfortably situated with property and succeeded in life through their efforts and despite their humble origins. The grandson of Jane, now having changed his name to Joseph Hurst, had inherited their hard won assets but would lose them over the ensuing years.
Government Notice. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, July 6, 1831. HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the following alterations in the Police of the Colony ; namely— SYDNEY. To be Constables. Middleton Knights, free, from the 1st ultimo. Sydney Herald, 18 Jul 1831. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Sydney, 1st December, 1831. HIS Excellency.the ACTING GOVERNOR has been pleased to approve of the following alterations in the Police of the Colony, namely - SYDNEY. Constable resigned. Middleton Knights, on the 14th Ultimo. By His Excellency's Command, ALEXANDER M'LEAY. Sydney Gazette, 10 Dec 1831. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Sydney, 25th November, 1834. HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the following alterations in the Police of the Colony, namely:— SYDNEY. To be Patrolmen.—Middleton Knights, free, from the 12th instant; NSW Govt. Gazette, 26 Nov 1834.
MIDDLETON KNIGHTS, aged about 57, a native of the county of Suffolk, Is hereby informed, that a considerable legacy from a brother has fallen due and awaits his claim in England. This Middleton Knight came to New South Wales about 1820, and some time subsequent kept the Tap of the Woolpack Inn, Parramatta, which he held when last heard of, about 20 years ago. Any Information as to his whereabouts, if living, or if dead, when and where he died and was buried, and what family is left, will be thankfully received and rewarded on communicating with his sister, Mrs. ELIZABETH HEMMINGS at Mr. G. F. Vorwerg's 4, Saint George's-place, Back-road, St. George's East. London. Sydney Morning Herald, 8 Dec 1855.
She is my gr-gr-grandmother and buried in the catholic cemetery at Kilmore Victoria. I have recorded her full story along with that of her daughter Christiana. Any contact welcome. Kevin.
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Ship; Louisa from England Name; Jean Cameron or Brown. Age; 30 years. Widow. 1 Child with her Native Place; Argyle shire Trade or calling; Servant of All work Trial where & Date; Glasgow - 30 Sept 1826. Offence; Receiving Stolen Goods Sentence; 7 years Height; 5 ft.2 in Eyes; Grey Hair; Brown Completion; Fair Freckled Assigned; John Smith. Newcastle 1829 - 30 Nov. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Applications for the Publication of Banns Middlton Knights ** . Age; 34. Bachelor. Ship; Richmond - 1831. Came as a Free Settler Jean Cameron or Brown. Age; 32. Widow. Ship; Louisa - 1827 - 7 years 1829 - New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Marriages Marriage Date; 14 Dec 1829 Marriage Place: Parramatta, Cumberland, New South Wales, Australia 1833 - 2 Nov. Certificate of Freedom. 33/1217. WIFE of M. Knight
Married Richard Bannister ex Baring St James Melb. Buried Kilmore Catholic cemetery. Correct name Jane.
By 1832, Jane was married to someone called Knights. Sydney Gazette, 12 July 1832 Absconded prisoners Jane Cameron or Brown, ux Knights, No. 27-2833, Louisa, 35, All-work, Argyleshire, 5 feet 2, grey eyes, brown hair, fair freckled comp. from Bathurst, her husband, Knights.